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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-50

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Launched February 2020
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched November 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-30
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-50 Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Olympus E-M1 III versus Pentax K-50, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and K-50 (16MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and K-50 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 III was unveiled 6 years after the K-50 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a simple overview of how the E-M1 III grades versus the K-50 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Pentax K-50

 E-M1 III K-50 
LaunchedFebruary 2020November 2013Newer by 76 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k921kCrisper screen (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 K-50 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax K-50

 E-M1 III K-50 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 III enjoys physical measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Pentax K-50 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M1 III versus Pentax K-50 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the E-M1 III against the K-50.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 III and K-50 is 67 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions just by looking at a spec sheet. The picture here might give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 III and K-50.

As you can see, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 III having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Olympus E-M1 III will give you extra detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more recent E-M1 III is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Portrait photography camera
77
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography highlights
Pentax K-50 Street photography highlights
78
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
includes focus via touch
environment proof
very good high ISO (25,600)
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
great ISO range (51,600)
no articulating screen
heavier than competitors (650g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography details
Pentax K-50 Sports photography details
81
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
high max fps (60.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
low battery pack (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Travel photography with Pentax K-50
79
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
includes focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
56
weather proof
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
low battery pack (410 per charge)
heavier than competitors (650g)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography details
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography details
81
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
does not have low pass filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
74
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,600)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-50 Vlogging highlights
79
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect autofocus
high video quality (4096 x 2160 resolution)
has microphone port
28
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have external mic support
heavier than competitors (650 grams)
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax K-50
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPentax K-50
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Pentax K-50
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2020-02-11 2013-11-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic IX PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 51600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 121 11
Cross type focus points 121 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580g (1.28 lbs) 650g (1.43 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1120
Other
Battery life 420 photographs 410 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 2 Single
Cost at release $1,800 $610